أَرَءَيْتَ إِن كَانَ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ 11
Translations
Have you seen if he is upon guidance
Transliteration
Ara-ayta in kana 'ala al-hudá
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question: 'Have you seen if he (the disbeliever) were upon guidance?' The ayah is part of Allah's address to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding those who turn away from the truth and prevent others from worshipping Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret this as Allah questioning the Prophet about the state of one who persists in disbelief and falsehood, emphasizing that such a person is clearly not upon guidance despite any worldly power or status they may possess.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the latter portion of Surah Al-'Alaq, which contains warnings against those who oppose the Prophet and prevent slaves from praying. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period of intense persecution of early Muslims. This particular ayah addresses the arrogance and misguidence of Abu Jahl and those like him who rejected the message of monotheism.
Related Hadiths
Surah Al-'Alaq was revealed at the beginning of the Prophet's mission, as mentioned in Sahih Bukhari where 'Aisha narrates the first revelation the Prophet received (96:1-5). The broader context of opposition to prayer is referenced in various hadiths about Abu Jahl's attempts to prevent the Prophet from praying at the Ka'bah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that outward appearance or worldly power cannot determine true guidance—only alignment with Allah's revelation constitutes true guidance. For believers, it reinforces that we should never be deceived by the apparent success of those who reject Allah's message, as their misguidance is evident to the All-Knowing.